THE economy of upper Teesdale will receive a much-needed boost if expansion plans at a local factory are given the green light.

Ashley Renham, whose company Renham and Wade produces plastic vials for the pharmaceutical industry, has 44 employees, but that could increase by at least 50pc if he receives permission from Teesdale District Council to build a 10,000sq ft extension to his Middleton in Teesdale premises.

Mr Renham started the company at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, with only one employee, before moving to a rented unit at Middleton in Teesdale 18 years ago. His partner, Norman Wade, left soon afterwards, but Mr Renham continued to expand until he owned all nine units, measuring 9.500sq ft, on the Kirkcarrion industrial estate.

"We have so many orders coming in from major companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, that we need much more space and more staff," he said. "When we came here 18 years ago, I had no idea we would eventually own the whole estate and still require more space."

Originally Mr Renham and joint managing director, Kevin Maw, wanted to demolish the estate, sell the site for housing and erect a new, purpose-built factory elsewhere in the dale. But the land is designated for industry rather than housing, so the proposal was vetoed by planning officials.

"We would rather have had a brand new factory on a different site, but will have to make do with an extension," said Mr Renham.

Teesdale Council's principal planning officer, Trevor Watson, said: "We still have to look at the details of this application but, in general, a scheme which adds to employment prospects in the dale has to be welcomed.

"The site has been approved only for projects which provide jobs, so it couldn't have received approval for housing."

If the expansion plan gets the go- ahead, it could be up and running by the end of the year. The extension itself will cost £350,000, with another £550,000 expected to be invested in machinery.